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St. Deborah-Woman and
Spiritual Leader
St. Deborah is a woman whose story is told in the Old
Testament book of Judges. She is relevant to all people
today even though she lived over three thousand years
ago. St. Deborah was the only female judge in ancient
Israel and the inspiration for Israel's victory over
the Egyptian army of Sisera. She also prophesied the
forty years of peace that would follow.
(Judges 4:4-10) 4Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife
of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5She
used to sit under the palm of Deborah between Ramah
and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the people
of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6She sent and
summoned Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh-naphtali
and said to him, "Has not the LORD, the God of
Israel, commanded you, 'Go, gather your men at Mount
Tabor, taking 10,000 from the people of Naphtali and
the people of Zebulun. 7And I will draw out Sisera,
the general of Jabin's army, to meet you by the river
Kishon with his chariots and his troops, and I will
give him into your hand'?" 8Barak said to her,
"If you will go with me, I will go, but if you
will not go with me, I will not go." 9And she said,
"I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road
on which you are going will not lead to your glory,
for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman."
Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10And
Barak called out Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh. And
10,000 men went up at his heels, and Deborah went up
with him.
St. Deborah Today
Women today see St. Deborah as a powerful leader, God's
prophet, and a caring mother figure. St. Deborah sets
an example for today's woman. Wearing a St. Deborah
medal inspires women that they can achieve great things
in life. They can be a leader, mother, and a spiritual
guide to their children.
Giving a St. Deborah charm to a young girl and reading
St. Deborah's story to her will set an example of true
faith, strength, and leadership. Just as God saved the
Israelites through the voice of St. Deborah, so God
saves His true believers.
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